$1 trillion in the shade – the annual profits multinational corporations shift to tax havens continues to climb and climb

The world’s wealthiest multinational corporations have been shifting billions of dollars in profits to offshore tax havens for years, and the amount continues to climb. According to a recent report from the Tax Justice Network, an independent research and advocacy group, the total amount of profits shifted to tax havens now stands at an astonishing $1 trillion per year.

This staggering figure highlights the extent to which multinational corporations are able to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. By shifting profits to countries with lower tax rates, these companies are able to reduce their overall tax burden and maximize their profits. This practice is commonly referred to as “profit-shifting” or “tax avoidance” and it has a major impact on the global economy.

The Tax Justice Network’s report found that the majority of profit-shifting occurs in Europe and the United States, which together account for more than 70% of the total. The report also revealed that the top 10 countries receiving the most profit-shifting are Switzerland, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The report also found that the largest companies are the biggest offenders when it comes to profit-shifting. According to the report, the top 50 companies account for more than half of the total profits shifted to tax havens.

The practice of profit-shifting has serious implications for governments, citizens, and businesses all over the world. Governments lose out on much needed tax revenue, which could be used to fund public services and infrastructure. Citizens are left with higher taxes, as governments are forced to make up for the lost revenue. And businesses are put at a disadvantage, as some multinational corporations are able to gain an unfair advantage by avoiding taxes.

The Tax Justice Network’s report calls for urgent action to combat profit-shifting. It recommends that governments work together to create a global minimum tax rate and that they clamp down on loopholes that allow companies to shift profits to tax havens.

It is clear that something needs to be done to address the issue of profit-shifting. The $1 trillion in profits that multinational corporations are shifting to tax havens each year is a stark reminder of how much money is being lost to these schemes. It is time for governments to take action and ensure that multinational corporations pay their fair share of taxes.